Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

  • Tuesday, July 1, 2014
  • Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:

Beginner Touring Kayak Clinic July 8
Learn the basics of flat water kayaking with Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced staff. Learn how to get in and out of the kayak on land and on the water, how to adjust the boat to fit you, basic forward and backward paddle strokes and must have safety gear. The clinic includes a short on water tour close to shore.
 Cost is $35 and includes all instruction and equipment. Participants may bring their own kayak, paddle and PFD if they wish. To make a reservation, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Open Canoeing at Greenway Farm July 6 
Cool off on this hot Independence Day weekend. Outdoor Chattanooga will host our regularly scheduled Open Canoeing at Greenway Farm, continuing every Sun. afternoon from 3-7 p.m., through  Adults and kids ages 5 and older can paddle for an hour on N. Chickamauga Creek for $10 per person. No reservations necessary. Just come and paddle! Next session: July 13.

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events 
Registration Open for the Chattanooga 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim Aug. 16 
The Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga and theChattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S.) will host the Chattanooga 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim on the TN River downtown on Sat., Aug. 16, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Online registration is open to experienced open water swimmers and triathletes who wish to test themselves on the downtown course. Swimmers will start the practice from the So. Belle Riverboat, which will take them 2.4 miles upstream, and end at Ross' Landing.
 
Rapid Learning Kayak Skills Practice, July 9 & 16
Come join the Rapid Learning Whitewater Program for our weekly kayak skills practice at Chester Frost County Park every Wed. with two sessions: 6 and 7 p.m. Bring the whole family and learn the basic skills that you need to paddle the Chattanooga region's beautiful whitewater (and flat water) streams. Your first visit is free. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888
 
NO RAPID LEARNING KAYAK PRACTICE JULY 2* 
 
Downtown Kayak Adventures July 5 & 6, 12 & 13
Take a leisurely tour of downtown Chattanooga on the TN River on Sat. or Sun. morning at 9:30 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide the gear, the guides and instruction for beginners ages 8 and older. Cost is $35 for adults and kids 14 and older, $25 for kids 8-13. Kids must paddle in tandem with an adult. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. To reserve, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Nickajack Cave Canoe Trips Begin July 11
Outdoor Chattanooga will begin family canoe trips to the Nickajack Bat Cave on Fri., July 11, at 7 p.m. and running weekly until Fri., Aug. 15. The evening trips will feature a short paddle to the mouth of the cave, where thousands of endangered gray bats emerge at dusk, then back to the launch after dark. The trips are open to adults and kids ages 5 and older. Each canoe must contain at least one adult. Cost is $10 per person and reservations with a credit card or advanced payment with check or cash is required. To register or learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888TheJuly 11 trip is sold out. Make your reservations early for remaining trips.
 
TN River Gorge Sunset Kayak July 17
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a kayak tour of the scenic TN River Gorge on Thurs., July 17, beginning at 7 p.m. We'll paddle through the most beautiful part of the gorge, catching the evening breezes and light on the walls of the gorge. Cost is $35 per person and reservations with a credit card or advanced payment with check or cash is required. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. To reserve, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
 
Featured Community Event   

Marathon Training Program Kick-off July 10 

The Chattanooga Track Club will kick off a 16-week marathon training program with an information and orientation session on Thurs., July 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park.  The program will help runners prepare for the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, Half Marathon and Jr. Marathon which takes place on Sat., Nov. 8. All interested members of the public are invited to attend the information session to learn more.

More Community Events
Zoe's Rainbow Dash for Children's Charities July 4
Run, walk or roll on this mostly flat 5K, which happens on Fri., July 4 around the Hamilton Place Mall. The event benefits local children's charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Bethlehem Center. Online registration is open through Tues., July 1.

Learn to Row July 7-19
The Lookout Rowing Club will host a Learn to Row 10-day clinic, Mon., July 7-19 at the William Raoul Rowing Center on Riverside Dr. Cost is $200 and includes all equipment and instruction. Each two week session will include 10 classes, scheduled as follows: Mon. - Thurs., 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sat., 9:00 a.m.-11a.m. The class fee may be credited towards a membership in the rowing club. All equipment will be provided but basic swimming skills are required. Students are encouraged to wear snug fitting athletic clothing and should keep in mind they may get wet. 

News

Little Cedar Mtn. Trail Re-Opens
The trails on TVA's Little Cedar Mtn. have re-opened, after a redesign to make it more user friendly, according to our friend and co-hike leader Bob Butters. Bob, otherwise known as the Nickajack Naturalist, is now writing an outdoor column for Nooga.com. Check it out! If you want to take a hike on Little Cedar, an printable map is available through the TN Valley Authority Website.

CARTA Begins New Bus Route to Airport
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) has begun service from downtown Chattanooga to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, Mon. - Fri., with six trips daily, leaving the corner of 10th St. and Market St. downtown at 6:05, 7:50 and 8:50 a.m., 12:15, 4:20 and 5:50 p.m. Airport departures at 6:40, 8:25, 9:25,12:50, 4:55 and 6:25. The trip takes approximately 35 minutes and all CARTA buses are equipped with free WiFi. Take the #19 (Cromwell Rd.).

The City of Chattanooga has awarded CARTA $300,000 to develop a bus route to Enterprise South. Aside from the need to give everyone an easier way to get to work at Amazon and VW, this also opens up another outdoor recreation option: take your bike on the bus to ride Enterprise South Nature Park's trails. Read all about it.

More Upcoming Events

July
August
9            Still Hollow Trail Race
              Missionary Ridge Road Race
23          River Gorge Omnium
  
September
28          Ironman Chattanooga

October
4           Rock/Creek Stump Jump
             Tennessee River Rescue
11         Chattanooga Head Race
             Swim the Suck 10 Mile Open Water Swim
19          7 Bridges Marathon
             Triple Crown Bouldering Competition - Stone Fort
25          Chattajack 31

November
1          Upchuck 50K
            Head of the Hooch
15         Alzheimer's Association 5K Run to Remember
22         Pangorge: The TN River Gorge Adventure Race

December
14         Lookout Mountain 50 Miler

  

 

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